Understanding the terms of your pet insurance policy, including waiting times and uninsured costs, is important when making a Pet Health Insurance Claim. The actual application process is quite simple, and most insurance allows you to submit your claim online. In some cases, the vet may even take care of it.
Read on to learn all you need to know about submitting a Pet Health Insurance Claim and what to do if the claim is denied.
How To File a Pet Insurance Claim
Step 1: Pre-Check for Direct Pay should be done
You must confirm with the veterinarian’s office that it takes direct payment from your insurer before bringing your pet in for treatment if your insurance is one of the few that offers to pay your veterinarian directly and you want to utilize it. If you proceed with the visit even though your veterinarian doesn’t take direct payment, you will be placed on the insurer’s reimbursement plan.
Step 2: Understand the Waiting Period
There is often a waiting period of 10 to 30 days before coverage kicks in with pet insurance policies. Before requesting routine treatment, make sure the waiting time has passed. The waiting time might not matter if you are dealing with an accident or a major disease, and your pet probably won’t be covered for this incident.
Step 3: Review the policy’s terms and conditions and coverage
Make sure you are aware of all applicable terms and restrictions, as well as if your insurance covers the care your pet need, in order to prevent expensive surprises.
- Exclusion for preexisting conditions: Congenital flaws, genetic diseases, and disorders that were discovered and treated before the policy’s start date are often not covered by insurance.
- Additional exclusions: It’s common to leave out preventive care or wellness care, dental care, immunizations, flea control, spaying or neutering, and behavioral training. However, a wellness rider is included with certain insurance and does cover these limitations.
- Deductible: You must pay this sum before coverage begins (after the waiting period). Some insurance have yearly deductibles, while others have per-incident ones.
- Co-pay: You could be required to pay co-insurance or a co-pay if your deductible has been met. For instance, if your reimbursement rate is 80%, your co-pay will be 20%.
- Limit: This is the most you will be compensated (per occurrence and/or insurance period).
Step 4: Obtain and complete a claim form
Insurance companies provide claim processing in a variety of methods. Many people utilize smartphone apps or online claim forms. In some cases, you can download and print the claim form. Go to the insurance company’s website and search for the part on submitting claims to become familiar with the procedure followed by your insurance company, preferred before you need to make one.
Gather any extra paperwork you require as soon as you have access to the claim form, such as paid vet bills and any necessary medical records, such as the SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, and plan) notes for the particular care your pet got .
Fill out the claim form completely specify and carefully, making sure to therapy rather than symptoms. If you require assistance, contact your veterinarian’s clinic.
Step 5: Present Your Claim
Following the directions for include bills and medical documents, submit your claim online, through mobile app, email, fax, normal mail, or another method after completing the claim form and gathering all required paperwork.
Step 6: Check To Make Sure Your Claim Was Received
Depending on your insurance, you could be notified that your claim has been received or you might need to contact the insurer directly to find out. The method you employ will determine how long that will take. If you submit online or using a mobile app, you can get a notification right away or in 48–72 hours.
Step 7: Await the review and processing of claims
Many claims are processed within 24 hours, according to certain insurers, but it usually takes 15 to 30 days. When you submit your initial claim, many insurers may request to evaluate your pet’s medical history. This will increase the processing time for this claim, and all following claims will be handled according to the insurer’s standard timeline.
During the evaluation process, your insurer could get in touch with you to get further information. As the request is likely to reset the timer for review and processing, be sure to react soon.
Step 8: Obtain notification of acceptance or rejection
After your claim has been reviewed and processed, you will be notified whether it has been granted or refused, in whole or in part. Additionally, the amount of your refund will be disclosed. The approval may arrive in the form of a cheque for the reimbursement amount or, if you pre-registered for direct deposit, via that method.
Step 9: Cash the check or appeal the decision
You’re done if your claim is accepted and you accept the amount of the refund. You will be informed whether you owe a debt if your coverage involves direct payment to the veterinarian and that the veterinarian has been paid. You should submit an appeal if you disagree with the judgment.
Step 10: Understand Where and How to Complain
Your insurer is where the appeals process starts. Search the insurer’s website for a “Appeal” or “Claim Review” area. Follow the guidelines for the appeal procedure, and be aware that it might take up to 30 days, much like your first claim.
Contact the office of the insurance commissioner in your state if the appeals procedure is found to be inadequate. On the website of your state’s government or through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), you may find contact information.
